Roxon reveals new High Court judge

Patrick Keane will be the 50th person and eighth Queenslander to sit on the bench of the High Court since Federation.

AAP: Supplied

The Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Patrick Keane, has been appointed to the High Court, replacing outgoing judge John Heydon who is retiring from his position early next year.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon says Chief Justice Keane will be replaced on the Federal Court by the president of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, James Allsop.

"The Government's delighted that we have got the services of two outstanding people and I'm sure this will be warmly welcomed across the legal profession and indeed across the country," Ms Roxon told reporters in Canberra.

Chief Justice Keane began his legal career in Queensland, and later worked as the state's Solicitor-General until 2005, at which point he was appointed as a Queensland Supreme Court judge.

He has been Chief Justice of the Federal Court since March 2010.

When he takes up his position on the bench of the High Court, he will be the 50th person and eighth Queenslander to do so since Federation.

There was some expectation the Government may appoint someone from South Australia to the position, given that state has never had an appointee to the court.

But despite extensive consultation, Ms Roxon says the Government was unable to find a suitable South Australian for the role.

"I think that the South Australians are right to be disappointed that they... have not had an appointee to the Court," she said.

"We did look very closely, and you will remember that I called for wide and extensive nominations to be made."

Ms Roxon has described Chief Justice Keane as a "leading intellectual", adding that he is widely respected for his work both on the Federal Court and in Queensland.

Shadow attorney-general George Brandis has endorsed the appointment.

"We support wholeheartedly the Government's selection of Pat Keane.

"I know him quite well. I was his junior in several matters at the Queensland bar in years gone by.

"He is a very, very distinguished lawyer both academically and professionally he has a very illustrious reputation."

Chief Justice Keane's replacement on the Federal Court, Justice Allsop, began his legal career in Sydney before being appointed as a Federal Court judge in 2001.

He held that position until 2008, at which point he was made president of the NSW Court of Appeal.

Justice Allsop will be the fourth Chief Justice appointed to the Federal Court since its inception in 1977.